Remember Me dev responds to EA Gibeau’s ‘new IP’ criticisms

Remember Me developer Dontnod has played down claims from EA’s Frank Gibeau that launching new IP this late in the console cycle is an error. The studio has explained to VG247 the contrary – that times have never been better for new IP.

Speaking with VG247, creative director Jean-Maxime Moris was asked for comment on Gibeau’s claim, “Those guys think that people are basically saving up money for next-gen hardware, and that by having your game, your new IP launch at the beginning of that new cycle, that it’s going to be easier to integrate into that cycle.”

“That’s true,” he added, “but the install base of the PS3 and the Xbox 360 has never been so big, and if you have something that’s new enough, that’s fresh enough, and interesting enough, you’ve never been able to sell it to as many people as now.”

“So it’s definitely the right time for us to be bringing Remember Me to the market.”

Dontnod was founded with French Government start-up funding, and has attracted talent from all over the industry’s biggest studios – from EA and Ubisoft to Criterion – and is bringing Remember Me to market in collaboration with Capcom in May 2013.

Moris added that anyone can break the market with new IP if they have the drive to do so, and that times have never been better, “I think that if you want to make games, then there are two ways to do it.”

“You can start from your bedroom and work in a project with a couple of friends, and nothing is stopping you from studying computer science, or art. Do it if you want to do it.”

“The second thing is being involved in a more traditional contract with a developer or being hired by a publisher. You can study to get into one of those companies or just get into them via QA or whatever, just do it and then work your way up.”

“I see many people doing that of course, and while it’s cheesy, nothing is stopping you from accomplishing your dreams. How many billionaires in the U.S. went there with just one dollar in their pocket, or how many developers today started as just five guys in their garage?”

What do you think? Is new IP given more of a fighting chance these days thanks to easier routes to market for indies, or are developers like Dontnod and Dishonored dev Arkane the exception to the rule? Let us know below.

Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. For more information, go here.